Downstream Defender® and Up-Flo® Filter help Monterrey to eliminate flooding and reuse treated stormwater to irrigate trees in a public recreational space.

Situation

With a population of 4 million, Monterrey is the third biggest city in Mexico. In an ambitious social rehabilitation project, 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) of abandoned street islands running along eight blocks of Monterrey's main Edison Avenue have been transformed into a meeting point for the local community.

Problem

With a catchment basin of 133 acres (540,000 m²) draining almost 10.5M cubic feet (300,000 m³) of rainwater, the area was prone to heavy flooding and subject to pollution from trash, floatable debris and hydrocarbons.

In addition, in Mexico's arid northern regions water scarcity has become an increasing problem caused by over-extraction from underground aquifers.

Solution

A solution designed and built by Soluciones Hidropluviales of Mexico City pioneered the use of Downstream Defender® and Up-Flo® Filter stormwater treatment in combination with stormwater storage to recycle rainwater, irrigate the islands and plant a green corridor of 170 oak trees.

Outcome

The project has seen the formerly abandoned islands transformed into a series of family recreation areas including a children’s playground, basketball courts, exercise equipment, ping pong and public fountains.

The solution we have engineered will store enough water to irrigate the oak trees for 62 days," said Alberto Burgoa, President & CEO, Soluciones Hidropluviales. "We hope the technology we developed can not only provide clean water for irrigation projects, but also be used for industrial or other urban regeneration schemes throughout Mexico.